Then my sister decided to change the venue to a court yard location. I decided to try my hand at another Butterick 5706 using a red printed polyester georgette. This time I did not follow the instructions for a center back seam, instead cut the back on the fold. Again omitted the zipper (the neck opening is wide enough to pull the dress over one's head).

The first dress was made up in a knit with very little fitting issues. Knowing that I would be working with a woven, I did a 3/4" fba, raised the neckline and added waist darts to the front. The neckline and armholes were serged and folded 1/4" to the inside and final stitched.

For the hemline I used a zigzag stitch with a width setting @ 3.5 and the length at 1.50.

The dress went together quickly once the changes were made to the pattern.

Then my sister clarified that the court yard venue was a euphemsism for BBQ B-day celebration and I felt the dress was a bit too much.

and I went into full throttle mode and opted for something casual... Simplicity 1849... using left over silver metallic knit from the first B5706.